Stronger Than You Know by Jolene Perry

Pages: 244

Intended Audience: Mature teens

Genre: Real life / Abuse

Notes for Parents: Contains mature content not appropriate for sensitive readers.

The Back Cover

Joy’s fifteen. Her normal life began just three months ago.

Before that was another life that she doesn’t like to remember. When the police came, it was supposed to be over.

But now, living with her aunt and uncle in this new family where everyone tries to understand, it’s not over. Joy’s got a whole list of reasons why she’s crazy—the panic attacks, the meds she’s on, and the hard-to-breathe feeling she gets when she has to talk to someone new, especially when the person is nice.

Yet hope has a way of taking hold, and Joy just might be able to hold on…

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

According to the author’s website, this story was, in part, inspired by an actually story about a five-year-old boy who lived a similar life but was killed in a fire. She says after learning the details about the young boy, she woke up one morning with the same line running in her head over and over. “I read somewhere that happiness is fleeting, but joy sticks with you, holds on to you, and fills you up. The fact that my name is Joy is sort of a lesson in irony.”

What’s good?

This is the rarely told story of what happens after the abused child is rescued and placed in a stable home. The first-person narrative makes this feel like a very personal story, and Joy is strong, authentic character despite her unusual and unfortunate circumstances. Tough subjects are broached as Joy navigates through issues of trust and abandonment, knowing she’s broken, and trying desperately to heal. The chapters are short and the pace is even. The plot is simple and the writing is well-done. A nice, budding romance threads through the more serious themes of abuse, fear, resilience, rebuilding, support, family, and love.

Best Part: Uncle Rob

What isn’t good?

Nothing really happens. This is definitely an emotional rollercoaster for the main character and the supporting characters that are trying to gain her trust, but that’s about as much action as there is. While there are moments of heightened tension, none really pan out to be anything concrete. Joy’s imagination is much more exciting than what’s happening around her.

Worst part: No action.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

Short chapters, an even pace, and a simple plot make this a quick and easy read. It’s very emotional with lots of inner conflict, and a little outward tension, but no real action to speak of. The characters are well-drawn and the subject matter is approached delicately, but without fear. Recommended.

Perry, Jolene. Stronger Than You Know. Chicago: Albert Whitman & Co., 2014.